Chatham Area Transit Officials Indicted in Bribery and Kickback Scheme

Chatham Area Transit Officials Indicted in Bribery and Kickback Scheme

SAVANNAH, GA—Chadwick L. Reese, 44, the Executive Director of the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT), and Joel T. Morris, 53, CAT’s Director of Maintenance, were indicted this week by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah, Georgia for their alleged roles in a bribery and kickback scheme. According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, from April of 2014 to the present, Reese and Morris used their official positions at CAT to enrich themselves by soliciting and accepting cash and other payments in exchange for rigging the award of CAT contracts to selected individuals and companies.

Reese and Morris each face multiple counts of mail fraud and extortion. Each count of mail fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Each count of extortion also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Savannah and Jacksonville offices of the FBI. First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Any questions should be directed to Mr. Durham at (912) 201-2547.